As part of its ongoing operational deployment in the South West Indian Ocean Region, Indian Naval Ship, INS Teg, a Talwar-class stealth frigate, arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles, for a scheduled port call from 26 to 30 June 2025. This deployment is a significant step towards enhancing bilateral maritime cooperation, promoting regional stability, and furthering the robust defense ties between the Indian Navy and the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces (SPDF).
INS Teg’s arrival highlights India’s strategic intent to reinforce its maritime security partnerships under the government’s broader Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) initiative. The visit reaffirms India’s commitment to maintaining a secure and stable Indian Ocean Region (IOR) while showcasing itself as a reliable security partner and first responder, especially in countering Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, piracy, and other transnational maritime threats.
INS Teg Visit To Strengthen Defense Diplomacy Through High-Level Engagements
During its port call, the Commanding Officer of INS Teg is scheduled to engage in official interactions with senior Seychellois government and military leadership. These include courtesy calls on the Chief of Defence Forces of Seychelles, the Chief of Staff of the SPDF, and the High Commissioner of India to Seychelles. These engagements are designed to facilitate strategic dialogue, promote interoperability, and discuss opportunities for enhanced naval collaboration in the IOR alongside joint training.
Additionally, INS Teg will conduct a formal onboard interaction session focused on enhancing cooperative frameworks between the Indian Navy and the SPDF. In a gesture of defense support, the ship’s crew will also formally hand over defense equipment and spares transported from India, intended to bolster Seychelles’ maritime defense capabilities.
INS Teg To Showcase India’s Soft Power Through Cultural Diplomacy
Aligned with the International Day of Yoga 2025 and its theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” the Indian Navy will conduct a yoga outreach session involving SPDF personnel, members of the Indian diaspora, and INS Teg’s crew. The session exemplifies India’s commitment to cultural diplomacy and holistic wellness practices as tools of international engagement.
To further strengthen people-to-people ties, a cultural evening will be hosted onboard INS Teg, featuring traditional Indian performances and interactions. Distinguished guests will include the High Commissioner of India, the Chief of Defence Forces, senior SPDF officials, and other government dignitaries.
Moreover, INS Teg will be open to visitors during the port call, allowing local residents and defense personnel to gain firsthand insights into the Indian Navy’s operational capabilities, naval technologies, and role in regional maritime security. This public outreach aims to promote transparency and enhance civilian understanding of defense roles in peacekeeping operations.
Seychelles National Day Celebrations
As a mark of respect and solidarity, a marching contingent from INS Teg, accompanied by the prestigious Indian Naval Band, will participate in the 49th National Day Parade of Seychelles on 29 June 2025. The event will also feature a flypast by the ship’s integral multi-role helicopter, showcasing the Indian Navy’s aerial capabilities.
This ceremonial participation reflects the longstanding camaraderie between India and Seychelles and highlights the role of naval diplomacy in strengthening national celebrations and shared heritage.
India-Seychelles To Hold Joint Maritime Surveillance Operations
Following the port visit, INS Teg will embark personnel from the Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG) to carry out joint Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance operations in coordination with an SCG vessel from 30 June to 2 July 2025. These joint patrols are aimed at reinforcing maritime domain awareness and safeguarding sovereign maritime interests.
The operation aligns with India’s regional maritime doctrine, promoting collaborative security, capacity-building, and a rules-based maritime order. It also contributes to ongoing efforts against IUU fishing and other illicit maritime activities in the Southwest Indian Ocean.
India’s Defense Diplomacy: Embarking On A New Road
Although the nation has engaged in defense diplomacy for decades, with the modernization of its armed forces and adoption of modern, global maritime practices, the Indian Navy has set upon a new chapter in its legacy. As such, the nation’s posturing in the IOR critically aligns with such strategic maritime engagements, which not only show India’s enduring partnership with Seychelles but also present the country as a reliable maritime security provider in the Indian Ocean Region.
Through a blend of defense diplomacy, joint operational planning, and cultural outreach, this visit reaffirms India’s position as a key player in the region.
As INS Teg will proceed to the next leg of its deployment following the disembarkation of SCG personnel, it will carry forward India’s vision of regional security, multilateral cooperation, and goodwill with maritime neighbors.
